Satell Trip: Day 2

Day 2: Friday, June 23, 2006

(Photos posted below) 

Email from Ari Goldberg: I just spoke with Beth Margolis-Rupp and the group is at their hotel preparing for Shabbat. After arrival in Israel, the group had their opening program with Linda Gradstein of NPR. This really seems to have set the tone that we wanted, of our trip as a leadership development experience. Afterwards the group did walk through the tunnel as planned and this was both an educational and fun experience.
 
Most of your e-mail updates will come directly from Brian and the group in Israel, but I did want to let everyone know that they arrived safely and have had a tremendous first day.

Email from Beth Margolis-Rupp: After an exceedingly long flight to Israel, we all arrived safely to the airport and met up with our guide and mission coordinator at the bus waiting outside. We spent some time loading the bus, and then we were on our way to make aliyah (going up) to Jerusalem!

With a beautiful view of the Old City in front of us, we recited the traditional prayer of Shehechiyanu for having reached a special first moment together overlooking the city. Two Fellows, Laura Michel and Raphael Menko then led us in a small ceremony reading a poem and leading kiddush (blessing over grape juice) and motzi (blessing over bread). Following this we had yummy pastries and drinks as a light breakfast from a patio at the viewpoint.

During breakfast we had the opportunity to meet and speak with an incredible journalist from National Public Radio (NPR), Linda Gradstein. Having lived in Israel for many years she has gained a unique insight on the complete matzav (situation) and reports almost daily on numerous topics connected to Israel. She led us in an activity called "Hot Topics," wherein the Fellows looked at the top headlines and stories in various Israeli newspapers, English and Hebrew. By helping us explore the different biases and emphases of these papers, the Fellows gained a better understanding of different points of view. They also asked deep questions concerning the Arab-Israeli conflict, as well as other issues, and their media portrayal in the papers.

Next we went to the City of David, a collection of houses and archaelogical sites on the slope next to the Old City, which dates back more than 3000 years. The highlight was sloshing through the water tunnel underneath the city, built by King Hezekiah more than 2500 years ago!

From there we checked into the hotel and had a few hours to shower, rest, and eat lunch. Now dressed in our Shabbat best, we headed to Mount Zion where we had an introduction to the history of Jerusalem. We then walked through the Zion Gate into the Jewish Quarter of the Old City and after many twists and turns we ended up on an amazing terrace, overlooking the Kotel HaMa'aravi (The Western Wall). There, we conducted a short Kabbalat Shabbat service and made our way down to the Wall to join the thousands who gather every week to welcome Shabbat at the Wall. Exhausted, we returned to the hotel for dinner and a well-deserved sleep!

Chatting with Linda Gradstein

Overlooking the Western Wall

Packing the bus at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel

The Satell Group on the Haas Promenade in Jerusalem